Jarring tool



March 3l, 1936. Y l, J -MCCUL| QUGH 2,035,905

' JARRING TOOL Filed OCT', 7, 1935 Patented Mar. 31, 1936 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFIE JARRING TOOL Calif.

Application October 7, 1933, Serial No. 692,635

6 Claims.

This invention relates toy a well tool and relates more particularly toa jarring tool to eifect a jarring action in a well.

During the drilling of a well it is sometimes necessary to impart ajarring action to an object within a Well. For example, during fishingoperations it is often necessary to jar the lish or lost object beforeit can be withdrawn from the well. Various forms of jarring tools havebeen proposed l0 and used. The types of jarring tools in general useembody sections connected for limited rela tive longitudinal movement,that are held in a contracted position, and are released for relativemovement through rotation between the sections or by varying thepressure on the circulation fluid,

to bring cooperating shoulders into jarring engagement. In practice itis not always practical to rotate the sections relative to one anotherwhile an upward strain is being exerted on the tool, and

considerable difficulty is experienced in providing a jarring tooloperable by varying the pressure on the circulation fluid that is notmade inoperative or ineffective through accumulations of solid matterdeposited from the fluid.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, practical,and eifective jarring tool that may be operated without rotation andwithout varying the pressure of the circulation fluid.

It is an object of the invention to provide a jarring tool in whichslackly linked sections are releasably held in a contracted position bya means which automatically releases the sections for relative movementupon a predetermined strain being exerted on the tool.

It is another object of the invention to pro'- vide a jarring tool thatis fully operable by simple reciprocation of the operating string towhich it is attached and which may be operated as many times as desiredwithout being withdrawn from a well.

It is another object of the invention to provide a jarring tool thatdoes not interfere with the free flow of the circulation fluid.

A further object of the invention is to provide a jarring tool thatembodies a minimum number of parts and in which the wearing parts aresimple and easily replaced.

Other objects and features of my invention will be best and more fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of a typical form andapplication of the invention, throughout which description reference ishad to the accompanying drawing, in which.:

Y Fig. l is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the jarring toolillustrating the parts in the (Cl. Z55-27) contracted or unactuatedposition. Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the tool inthe operative or jarring position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transversedetailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4is an 5 enlarged detail transverse sectional view taken as indicated byline 4-4 on Fig. l, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse detailedsectional View taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. l.

The jarring tool provided by my present inl0 vention includes,generally, two main or body sections A and B related for limitedrelative longitudinal movement, and latch or control means C forreleasably holding the sections A and B in a contracted position.

The body sections A and B of the tool form a unit or assembly that isadapted to be connected between the object to be jarred and an operatingstring. 'I'he tool may be arranged immediately adjacent or above theshing tool, for engaging 20 the object to be jarred, or it may bearranged at any point along an operating string, as desired. Thesections A and B are connected for limited relative longitudinalmovement and have parts or shoulders adapted to cooperate to effect 25 ajarring action. One section is adapted to be connected to an operatingstring and the other section is adapted to be connected with a fishingtoo-l, or the like, engaging the object to be jarred.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention 3o the sections A and B aretelescoped, that is, one section extends into the other. In theparticular case illustrated the section A is tubular and the section Bhas a stem portion Hl extending into the tubular section A. In theparticular case 35 illustrated the section A is the upper section and isadapted to be connected with an operating string while the section B isthe lower section and is adapted to be connected with the object to bejarred. It will be obvious that the arrangement 40 just described may bereversed, that is, the stern section B may be the upper section of thetool to extend into the lower tubular section.

The section A of the tool includes a main tubular part H and adetachable head or upper end 45 l2 screw threaded into the upper end ofthe part l l. The upper end I2 may be in the nature of a sub blockhaving a central longitudinal opening I3 communicating with the interiorof the tubular portion ll and an upwardly projecting 50 taperedscrew-threaded pin I4 to facilitate attachment to an operating string,or the like. The exterior of the upper end l2 may be iiush with theexterior of the main tubular portion Il. The main portion H is anelongated tubular member.

The lower end part of the main portion I I of 'the section A is ofreduced internal diameter to provide an upwardly facing shoulder I5 tocooperate with a shoulder on the section B to eifect a jarring action aswill be hereinafter described.

The section B of the tool includes the stem portion I0 which extendsinto the interior of the main portion II of the section A and whichprojects downwardly from the lower end of the section A, and a lowerpart or connecting member I6. The connecting member I6 may be screwthreaded on the lower end of the stem portion III and is provided with adownwardly projecting screw threaded pin I1 for connection with afishing tool or operating string. The stem portion I0 of the section Ais slidable in the opening I8 of the reduced lower end of the section Aand projects into the interior of the tubular portion II. An enlargementor head I9 is provided on the upper end of the stem III within thetubular portion II. The lower end of the head I9 provides a downwardlyfacing shoulder 2l! on the stem I0 which is adapted to cooperate withthe shoulder I 8 of the section A. The head I9 slidably engages theinterior or inner walls of the tubular portion I I and suitable rings 2Imay be provided on the head I9 to frictionally engage and seal with theinterior of the section I I.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention I provide meansfor preventing relative rotation between the sections A and B.Longitudinal splines or keys 22 may be provided on the stem I Il toslidably operate in keyways or grooves 23 in the opening I8. Thesections A and B are proportioned and related so that the shoulders I5and 28 are spaced apart when the sections are in the contractedposition, illustrated in Fig. 1, and so that the shoulders I5 and 2i)are brought into engagement upon the release of the means C.Longitudinal grooves 2II are provided in the walls of the opening I8 topermit the escape of fluid trapped in the space between the shoulders I5and 28. A sleeve or collar 25 is mounted on the stem I0 between thelower end of the section A and the upper end of the connecting member I6to limit the stroke of the tool or the extent of relative longitudinalmovement of the sections A and B. The shoulders I6 and 20 limit therelative movement of the sections A and B in one direction, while thelower end of the portion II of the section A engages the upper end ofthe collar 25 to limit the movement of the sections in the otherdirection. A fluid passage 28 is provided through the section B of thetool to pass fluid from the interior of the section A. The passage 26extends from the upper end of the head I9, where it communicates withthe interior of the section A, to the lower end of the connecting memberI8 where it discharges into a shing tool, or the like.

The latch means C is provided to releasably hold the sections A and B inthe contracted position where the shoulders I5 and 20 are spaced apartand to release the sections A and B for relative longitudinal movementupon a predetermined tensile strain being exerted on the tool. The meansC is preferably located within the portion I I ofthe section A betweenthe upper end of the head I8 and the lower end of the part I2 of thesection A. The latch means C includes, generally, two cooperatinglatches, a latch 21 carried by the section B, and a latch 28 carried bythe section A. The latch 21 may be directly connected with the sectionB, for instance, it may be connected -to the head I9 to project upwardlyinto the interior of the portion II of the section A. The

head I9 may be provided with an upwardly projecting lug 29 to carry thelatch 21. The latch 21 may include two spaced parallel links 3E)pivotally secured to the lug 29 by a pivot pin 3l. The links 39 projectupwardly from the opposite sides of the lug 29 and a roller 32 isrotatably mounted at the upper ends oi the links 38 on a shaft or pin 33extending between the links.

The invention provides means for yieldingly urging the roller 32 towardthe latch 28. In the drawing I have shown a loaf spring 34 attached A tothe lug 29 and engaging the roller 32 to urge it toward the latch 28.

The latch 28 carried by the section A is in the nature of a shoulderedlatch and is positioned and mounted to cooperate with the latch 21 toreleasably hold the sections A and B against relative movement when thesections are in the contracted position. The latch 28 is pivotallymounted in the interior of the portion I I of the section A. The latch28 may be pivotally mounted on a transverse pivot pin 36 offset from thelongitudinal axis of the tool. The latch 28 is provided with a seat 31to receive or hold the roller 32 of the latch 21, and a shoulder 38 toengage under the roller 32 when the latches 21 and 28 are in cooperativepositions. The latches 21 and 28 are related so that the pivotal axis ofthe latch 28 is in substantially horizontal alignment with the axis ofrotation of the roller 32. The seat 31 and the shoulder 38 are formed toengage the roller 32 to prevent disengagement of the roller from thelatch 28 until the latch 28 is shifted or pivoted upon a predeterminedstrain being exerted on the tool as will be hereinafter described. Theextent of movement or pivoting of the latch 28 is limited by its rear orouter side 39 engaging the inner walls of the portion II.

The invention provides means for normally yieldingly holding the latch2S against movement where the shoulder 38 holds the roller 32 againstdisengagement from the latch 28. The means for holding the latch 28against movement is such that it permits pivoting of the'latch to allowdisengagement of the roller 32 from the shoulder 38 upon a predeterminedtensilestrain being exerted on the tool. The means for yieldinglyholding the latch 28 against movement when the parts are in thecontracted position is in the nature of a yielding resilient member 4I)connecting the latch 28 with the section A of the tool. In a tool of thecharacter provided by this invention it is desirable to provide meansfor holding the latch 28 against movement when in the unactuatedposition which resists considerable strain and permits pivotal movementof the latch 28 only upon a heavy tensile strain being exerted on thetool so that the operating string carrying the tool is elongated orstretched before the releasing of the latch means C to provide for aheavy jarring action between the shoulders I5 and 28.

In the present form of the invention the member III is in the nature ofa yielding resilient cable connected to the latch 28 at a point removedfrom its pivotal axis and attached to the section A at a point above thelatch 28. The member 4I) may be a stranded steel cable, or the like,`having the necessary characteristics to suit it for use in the tool. Forexample, the cable 48 offers the proper resistance to a heavy tensilestrain to permit stretching of the operating string before it iselongated sufficiently to permit the necessary pivoting of the latch 28to release the roller 32 and is suiiiciently resilient to return to itslength after releasing of the control means C.

' In the particular form illustrated in the drawing the cable or member40 is arranged through an opening in the outer end of a projecting arm4l on the latch 28 and is arranged over a bar or rod 42 in the upperportion of the section A. The arm 4l projects upwardly and inwardly fromthe pivotal axis of the latch 28 and may be formed integral with thelatch. The arm 4| may be proportioned to provide for the desired orproper leverage. The upper end of the cable 40 is arranged over the rod42 which is spaced above the latch 28. It is preferred to position therod 42 a considerable distance above the latch 28 so that the cable 4i?is comparatively long to be capable of suiilcient elongation, to permitreleasing of the means C, without danger of straining or failing. I haveshown the rod 42 extending transversely through the upper end of theportion Il of the section A adjacent the lower end of the heel I2. Oneend of the rod 42 may seat in a recess or socket 43 in one side of theportion Il and its opposite end may be arranged through an opening 44 inthe opposite wall of the portion Il. The rod 42 may have a head orenlargement 45 seating in the opening 44 and may be secured to theportion l! by a bolt or screw 45 arranged through an opening in the wallof the portion I l and screw threaded into an end of the rod. An annularrecess or groove 41 may be provided on the rod 42 to carry the cable 4Bto prevent its displacement or shifting along the rod.

In operation the tool is arranged so that the sections A and B areconnected between a fishing tool, or the like, in engagement with theobject to be jarred and an operating string, such as a string of drillpipe, or the like. The parts of the tool are normally in the unactuatedor contracted position as illustrated in Fig. l of the drawing.

When it is desired to operate the tool to impart a jarring action on theobject to be jarred, which in the particular arrangement and positioningof parts illustrated in the drawing is connected with the section B, anupward strain is exerted on the section A through the operating string.As thesection B is held stationary through engagement with the objectengaged by the shing tool, or the like, the upward strain on theoperating string stretches the operating string and the cable or member453. Until a certain predetermined tensile strain is imparted to thetool the roller 32 is arranged in the seat 3l and engages the shoulder 3to prevent upward movement of the section A relative to the section B.When a strain heavy enough to stretch the cable 4E) an amount sufficientto permit pivoting of the latch 28 to allow disengagement of the roller32 from the latch, the section A is automatically released for upwardmovement relative to the section B. Upon releasing of the control orlatch means C the upward strain exerted on the operating string and theresiliency of the stretched operating string causes the section A to bemoved upwardly rapidly and with great force to bring the shoulder I5into heavy jarring engagement with the shoulder 2G. After releasing ofthe control m'eans C, the cable returns to its normal length to returnthe latch 2S to its normal position. To reset the tool the section A ismoved downwardly relative to the section B so that the roller 32 ridesover the shoulder 38 and is urged into the seat 3l by the spring 34. Thetool is then set for another operation.

It is to be noted that the jarring tool provided by this invention isextremely simple in construction and operation and embodies but fewwearing parts. The shoulders l5 and 20 may be made sufficiently large towithstand the jarring action to which they are subjected and the rings2l prevent solid matter from passing from the upper part of section Aand lodging between the shoulders. The latches 21 and 28 may be mountedin the tool so as to be readily replaceable. Circulation of fluidthrough the tool is not interrupted during its operation and does notinterfere with the operation of the tool.

Having described only a typical preferred form of my invention, I do notwish to limit myself to the specic details set forth, but wish toreserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to thoseskilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I olaim':

1. A well tool of the character described including, two sectionsconnected for limited relative longitudinal movement, and means forreleasably holding the sections against relative movement, said meansbeing releasable upon a predetermined strain being exerted on the toolto cause relative longitudinal movement between them, said meansincluding cooperating latches pivotally carried by the sections, onelatch operable to shift out oi engagement with the other under apredetermined strain tending to move the sections relative to oneanother, an extensible resilient cable yieldingly resisting movement ofsaid latch, and means for yieldingly holding the said other latch in theoperative position.

2. A well tool of the character described including, two sectionsconnected for limited relative longitudinal movement, and means forreleasably holding the sections against relative movement, said meansbeing operable to release the sections upon a predetermined strain beingexerted on the tool to cause relative longitudinal movement betweenthem, said means including a part shiftably carried by one section formovement substantially transverse thereof, a latch pivotally carried bythe other section and adapted to cooperate with said part, and a memberattached to the latch at a point spaced from its pivotal axis andtightly tied to the said other section to yieldingly resist pivotalmovement of the latch and adapted to stretch under a longitudinal strainto allow said pivotal movement.

3. A well tool of the character described including, two sectionsconnected for limited relative longitudinal movement, and means forreleasably holding the sections against relative movement, said meansbeing operable to release the sections upon a predetermined strain beingexerted on the tool to cause relative longitudinal movement betweenthem, said means including two cooperating parts, one a latch shiftablycarried by one section, the other a shouldered latch pivoted to theother section, a roller on the firstmentioned latch cooperating with theshoulder of the pivoted latch, and an extensible resilient cableextending longitudinally through said other section and having one endattached to the said other section and its other end attached to theshouldered latch at a point removed from its pivotal axis to yieldinglyresist movement of the shouldered latch.

4. A well tool of the character described including, two sectionsconnected for limited relative longitudinal movement, and means forreleasably holding the sections against relative m'ovement, said meansbeing operable to release upon a predetermined strain being exerted onthe tool to cause relative longitudinal movement between them, saidmeans including co-operating latches pivotally carried by the sections,one latch operable to shift out of engagement with the other under apredetermined strain tending to move the sections relative to oneanother, an extensible resilient cable attached to said latch and itsrespective section to yieldingly resist movement of said latch, andmeans for yieldingly holding the said other latch in the operativeposition.

5. A well tool of the character described including, two sectionsconnected for limited relative longitudinal movement, and means forreleasably holding the sections against relative movement, said meansincluding cooperating latches pivotally carried by the sections, onelatch operable to pivot substantially transversely relative to the otherlatch, a longitudinally extending member tightly tied to a section andsaid other latch to resist disengaging movement of said other latch andadapted to stretch upon a strain being put on the sections to allow thelatches to disengage, and means urging` the latches into cooperation onewith the other.

6.V A rotary jarring tool including two sections connected for limitedrelative longitudinal movement, and means for holding the sectionsagainst relative longitudinal movement releasable by a longitudinalstrain on the sections, said means comprising a spring urged latch onone section, a pivoted latch on the other section for cooperating withYthe spring urged latch, an arm on the pivoted latch, a xed transversepart in the said other section, and a cable extending longitudinallythrough said other section having one end connected to said part and itsother end connected to said arm toresist releasing pivotal movement ofthe pivoted latch and extensible by a strain on the sections to allowreleasing of the latches.

IRA J. MCCULLOUGH.

